RESOURCES FOR THE PROTECTION OF MARINE MAMMALS
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION PATHFINDER PROJECT
By Susan P. Whiteman
and Suzanne Johnson
Created April 28, 2005
Biologist Julika Wocial of Riverhaed Foundation reaches into a dead whale on a beach in Southampton as she performs a necropsy on April 5, 2005.
The purpose of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 was "to protect marine mammals; to establish a Marine Mammal Commission; for other purposes." The act was the first of it kind to address from an ecosystem approach the danger of the extinction of marine mammals. Many government, state, scientific and non-profit agencies have grown up around this legislation, agencies that collect data, raise awareness, and work to set policy. In the thirty-two years since the passage of this act, a huge quantity of information has been generated. Because many of these agencies are scientific, and therefore Internet savvy, the information is often "born electronic": the Internet is the primary and many times only source for distribution. But the history is not lost, for many documents have been "reincarnated electronically"and thus gain the power to continue to inform the future.
In late 2004, the Commission of Ocean Policy released its final report on the crisis that faces our oceans and its denizens. The report contains 212 recommendations that suggest ways to prevent the oceanic ecosystems from collapsing. Hope for the continued survivial of these majestic creatures of the deep lies in how well we understand the ocean's predicament – and how we respond.
This pathfinder exists to inform and educate those seeking objective, authoritative, and accurate resources about marine mammals. It also can provide a guide for those who wish to participate in making the policies that ultimately will affect their very existence.
SCOPE
This pathfinder offers information found through government, educational, and university sources, as well as marine mammal rescue organizations. Information is provided for teachers, educators, and, to a limited extent, school-aged children. Because of its broad scope, this pathfinder offers useful information to the casual and serious reader alike – anyone keen to learn about the protection of marine mammals.
For organizational purposes, this pathfinder is indexed thusly:
1. THE RIVERHEAD FOUNDATION
2. THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
3. THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF THE UNITED STATES
4. THE GULF OF MEXICO
5. THE PACIFIC COAST
6. THE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT OF 1972
7. THE ENDANGERED SPECIES
8. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS ON THE INTERNET
9. MARINE SANCTUARIES
10. LEGISLATION AND TREATIES
11. TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS AND CHILDREN
12. FEDERAL CODE PERTAINING TO MARINE MAMMALS
SEARCH TERMS
Marine Mammals
Whales
Dolphins
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Marine Mammals
The Riverhead Foundation is a non-profit organization which operates the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program in New York State. The foundation is housed at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium, located in the town of Riverhead near the western end of the fork of Long Island. The only marine mammal rehabilitation facility in New York State, its work supports data used by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Its missions include preserving and protecting the marine environment, which is achieved through education, rehabilitation and research.
The Riverhead Foundation is one of a network of marine mammal rehabilitation centers. Other centers in the Northeastern United States include:
THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts
The Cape Cod Stranding Network
The New England Aquarium located in Boston, Massachusetts offers many educational opportunities to the public and schools.
THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF THE UNITED STATES
The Mid-Atlantic States are also rich with resources for studying marine mammals and their ecosystems.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey, offers information on its website.
Information about marine mammals in the Chesapeake Bay may be found at this website.
The Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the newest and finest on the Eastern Seaboard, if not in the United States. The aquarium's website offers many exhibits, including information about mammals, animals, and educational opportunities for teachers and children. General exhibit information is at this link. Information specific to the Bottle-nosed Dolphin may be found at this link.
The Mote Marine Laboratory of Florida serves as a marine mammal stranding center.
The State of Florida has many aquariums. The Clearwater Florida Marine Aquarium may be explored at its website.
In addition, there is the National Marine Sanctuary Program in the Florida Keys.
Across the Gulf of Mexico, Texas also houses a number of aquariums and marine mammal stranding centers, such as the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
The Marine Mammal Center of Northern California website address is http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the finest in the United States. Two of its websites are especially worth exploring:
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Marine Sanctuaries: Monterey Bay
The Aquarium in Seattle, Washington has a website with links for children, education and conservation.
The State of Alaska heavily incorporates the environment and conservation into the curriculum of its educational systems, including the university level. This site is from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks.
Because of partnership agreements, there are ten states connected with links available at this site: NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources.
THE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT OF 1972
Marine Mammal Commission is an independent government oversight agency responsible for making recommendation on national and international federal policy concerning marine mammal conservation. The Marine Mammal Protection Act established the Marine Mammal Commission, an independent government oversight agency responsible for making recommendations on national and international federal policy concerning marine mammal conservation. The Marine Mammal Commission receives support from the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Department of Commerce; the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior; and the Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS ON THE INTERNET
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration historically originated from "The Survey of The Coast," established by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807. Today the NOAA is responsible for greater coastal and resource management.
NOAA provides guidance to Regional Fisheries and Science Centers in implementing programs for the protection and recovery of the over 175 marine mammals listed in the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The NOAA guidance provides a broad scope of web access to government documents and information. Some of the key links are provided:
Marine Turtles, Mammals, and Fishes
Report of the NOAA Fisheries National Task Force for Improving Marine Mammal and Turtle Stock Assessments
The Marine Mammal Database and the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program
The NOAA Library is an extensive collection of both historical and current material covering such diverse disciplines as oceanography, atmospheric sciences, geophysics and statistics and many more areas of study. A helpful feature is "Ask a Librarian" which allows you to e-mail a reference question.
For resources beyond the vast holdings of NOAA library search The Government Depository for the Library.
Marine Mammal Partnerships: The Office of Protected Resources participates in many partnerships with state and federal ordinations and well as zoos, aquariums and animals welfare groups. View the list of participants. Contact information provided.
Mapping of the Coastal Regions of the United States, by NOAA: The web mapping portal called NOWCOAST contains hundreds of links to real-time surface and sub-surface observing stations from a federal network as well as incorporating state and university networks and individual stations. The map layers information on a interactive map of the world.
Ocean mapping from a satellite: NASA uses the unique out-of this-world perspective to gather images and information to be in global ocean science. Currently three ocean observing missions, ocean color, wave height, and surface wind speed.
Congressional Reports accessible through the NOAA website.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries – Office of Protected Resource – Marine Mammals. Under the Office of Commerce NOAA provides guidance to Regional Fisheries and Science Centers in implementing programs for the protection and recovery of the over 175 marine mammals listed in the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Links to NOAA Right Whale Mandatory Reporting System, Take Reduction planning, and Stranding Response program along with web access to Congressional Reports and Publications as a few of the many resources of provided.
The Library of Congress and THOMAS Legislative Information offer government website information pertinent to oceanography and marine mammal education.
Oceanography from the Library of Congress.
Current Legislation open that pertains to oceanography.
Bill to establish a National Marine Scholarship Program to recruit and prepare graduate students for careers in the fields of marine science, and for other purposes.
Other educational opportunities for study:
The Center for Coastal Studies.
The United States Geological Service offers information about marine education and conservation.
The National Biological Service, Department of the Interior, offers important information at its site.
Acknowledging that the nation's prosperity is intricately tied to the management of national natural resources, the NBS's report "Our Living Resources," (1995) compiles information of specific species, ecosystems, and ecoregions. Monitoring and making an inventory are the first steps in understanding the present health and future trends in a resource. To that end, NBS includes among sections on birds, land mammals, and fish a document on Marine Mammals.
This chapter compiles an analysis of studies done by the National Marine Fisheries Service on whales, sea lions, dolphins and many other species of marine mammals on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Reports include helpful graphs.
The National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World, illustrated by Pieter Folkens, written by Randall R. Reeves, Brent S. Stewart, Phillip J. Clapham and James A. Powell, c2002, (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc; New York ISBN 0-375-41141-0) is a comprehensive print resource for defining what qualifies as a marine mammal, their range and habitat, behavior, status and conservation. Maps, photos, illustrations, charts, and an extensive glossary of terms serves as a complete reference tool.
Oceans, by Trevor Day (1999), and published by Facts On File, as part of the series Ecosystems, is a valuable print resource for learning about the geography of the oceans, ocean atmosphere, ocean history, ocean exploration, ocean resources and management. (ISBN 0-8160-3647-0)
The chapter "Marine Conservation and Marine Protected Areas" states "About 1,300 marine and estuarine sites around the world have been designated as marine protected areas (MPAs). Many of these are very small, and the degree of protection sought–and actually achieved–varies considerably from one MPA to another. Specific MPAs usually have titles that incorporate the term park, sanctuary, or reserve plus a place or habitat name. A site may be protected for a variety of reasons as a site of outstanding natural beauty; because of historic or cultural associations, perhaps because it houses a shipwreck; because it encompasses a habitat especially worthy of protection as it is an outstanding example of its type or endangered species are to be found there."
The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy released its final report in September of 2004 recognizing that the oceans are in dire straits from pollution, over fishing, and ecosystem mismanagement. Many of the most majestic mammals face extinction as a result. Learn about the recommendations, hearing, testimony and history of the commission here.
Established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Marine Sanctuaries embrace the historic, scientific, educational, and management of the marine ecosystem. The National Program, publications, news, and partnership between the American Zoo and Aquarium Association are part of that information.
There are thirteen marine sanctuaries in the United States. Their locations and year of designation are as follows:
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, California (1980)
The Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, California (1989)
The Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, America Samoa (1986)
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Florida (1990)
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Gulf of Mexico (1992)
The Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Georgia (1979)
The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, California (1981)'
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Hawaii (1991)
The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, North Carolina (1975)
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California (1992)
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, Hawaii (2000-2001), established by Executive Order 13178 and Executive Order 13196: Amendment to Executive Order 13178.
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Washington (1994), extending past the Canadian border.
The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Massachusetts (1992)
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, Michigan (2000), the nation's first Great Lakes sanctuary, and the thirteenth National Marine Sanctuary.
A comprehensive government document titled The Marine Mammal Commission Compendium of Selected Treaties, International Agreements, and Other Relevant Documents on Marine Resources, Wildlife, and the Environment; Second Update, compiled by Heidi W. Weiskel, Richard L. Wallace and Melissa M. Boness for the Marine Mammal Commission in 2000, was published with the partial support of The National Marine Fisheries Service, The Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Environment and Natural Resources Division (SuDocs Y3.M33/3:2T71/2000). This three-voume set was offered for sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office, but is now out of print. Used copies sometimes may be obtained through Amazon.com.
Binding and non-binding agreements, multilateral and bilateral treaties and agreements are documented in this publication. Issues pertaining to the oceans, the environment, and marine mammals in the global realm may be examined.
The Marine Mammal Commission Compendium of Selected Treaties, International Agreements, and Other Relevant Documents on Marine Resources, Wildlife, and the Environment; Second Update.
Volume I Pages 1-1120 SuDoc Y3.M 33/3:2T 71/V.1
Compiled by Richard L. Wallace, Marine Mammal Commission, Washington, DC, 1994
Volume II Pages 1121-2342 SuDoc Y3.M 33/3:2 T 71/V.2
Compiled by Richard L. Wallace, Marine Mammal Commission, Washington, DC., 1994
Volume III Pages 2343-3547 SuDoc Y3.M 33/3:2 T 71/V.3
Compiled by Richard L. Wallace, Marine Mammal Commission, Washington, DC 1994
First Update 1997 SuDocs Y3.M 33/3:2T 71/V.1-3/Update/
Compiled by Richard L. Wallace, Marine Mammal Commission, Bethesda, Maryland 1997
All of the volumes total more than 6,000 pages, and present more than 650 treaties and agreements, both binding and non-binding. Treaties in force and treaties not in force are documented in these five volumes.
TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS AND KIDS
1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Protected Resource provides lesson plans on such topic as coral and the food chain for teacher and responsible viewing and ocean etiquette for specific regions and mammals. Also included is a kid site with links to related web site and the "The Kids Times" an online magazine each issue of which is dedicated to a different species of whale or turtle.
2. Zoo and Aquarium specialist's testimony before the Subcommittee of Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Ocean on the importance and purpose of public display of marine mammals. Emphasizes the educational role of zoos and marine aquarium for education of the public, students and for scientific study.
Section of Code of Federal Regulation pertaining to marine mammals (Title 50 Volume 5 Chapter 1 part 18).